The American way is 'better' and Earl eventually realizes how wrong he (and his whole country) is and changes his ways. Little Lord Fauntleroy is a sentimental childrens novel by American (English-born) author Frances Hodgson Burnett, serialized in St. I kind of felt like this was the author's way at getting a dig in at British culture. However, I didn't read it that way exactly.Īs the article said, Cedric Errol brings his American ways to Dorincourt, and ends up changing his grandfather's mind about a lot of things. I remember discussing this book in school, and my teacher said the same thing the article said: that the book represented a reconciliation between the United States and Britain. But then she finds she's the heir to the throne of a fictional country! I imagine whoever thought up the idea for that movie was probably inspired by Little Lord Fauntleroy. The movie The Princess Diaries, which came out in 2000 or 2001 I think, features an American girl who thinks she's just a normal teenager. In fact, this theme still plays out in movies and television today. The kid things he's just a normal American, but finds out he's really English aristocracy! I just thought it was a traditional 'rags to riches' surprise wealth kind of story. Plucked from the streets and taken to join the English elite the Earl sets about teaching young Cedric how to be part of the aristocracy. I didn't read this book in school, but my mom read it to me at home. Little Lord Fauntleroy is the first childrens novel written by English playwright and author Frances Hodgson Burnett. So I imagine this book will stay popular among children for quite awhile longer. I remember really enjoying the stories and the way they were written. So I'm not surprised these types of stories are still being told today!Īnyway, when I was younger I remember reading all of Frances Hodgson Burnett's books, Little Lord Fauntleroy included.

July 16, - I think a lot of Americans are simultaneously fascinated and horrified by the idea of aristocracy, especially since we have none of our own in this country.

Little lord fauntleroy english